From the Community: Why this Nominee Stands Out

“Katelyn Smith has been a transformative force in early career recruitment at Woodward, bringing fresh thinking, strategic execution, and a deep understanding of Gen Z values to every initiative she leads.

One of her most impactful contributions has been the development and leadership of Woodward’s internship program. Katelyn designed this program from the ground up, incorporating Gen Z priorities such as continuous communication, clear career pathways, and engaging onboarding experiences. Her approach included:

End-to-end recruitment ownership: From headcount planning to onboarding and conversion, Katelyn ensured a seamless and personalized experience for student candidates.

Social media engagement: She leveraged platforms like LinkedIn to authentically showcase intern experiences and company culture, enhancing employer branding among younger audiences.

Event planning and execution: Katelyn led large-scale outreach events with organizations like SHPE and SWE, drawing national attention and significantly boosting Woodward’s visibility among diverse Gen Z talent pools.

Katelyn also served as the primary liaison with Colorado State University, where she built partnerships that extended beyond recruitment to include workforce development and veteran outreach—demonstrating her holistic approach to talent engagement.

Her leadership extended to piloting a high school internship program in Fort Collins, with plans to scale it across other locations. This initiative reflects her forward-thinking mindset and commitment to building talent pipelines early.

Even during a period without direct supervision, Katelyn stepped up as the sole point of contact for all University Relations functions, maintaining operations and supporting her team with professionalism and poise. Her ability to manage multiple responsibilities while mentoring new team members and onboarding her own manager speaks volumes about her leadership and adaptability.

Katelyn’s work has not only elevated Woodward’s early career recruitment efforts but has also set a new standard for how to engage and inspire the next generation of talent.”